Collapsible dust pan

ABSTRACT

THE DUST PAN IS CONSTRUCTED WITH A BACK WALL SECURED TO A HANDLE AND AN APRON WHICH IS PIVOTAL WITH RESPECT TO THE BACK WALL SO AS TO PIVOT INTO A LOCKED STORAGE POSITION AGAINST THE HANDLE. IN ONE EMBODIMENT, THE SIDE WALLS OF THE BUCKET ARE CREASED SO AS TO FOLD INWARDLY ON THEMSELVES UPON PIVOTING OF THE APRON INTO THE COLLASPED CONDITION. IN ANOTHER EMBODIMENT, THE SIDE WALLS   OF THE BUCKET AND THE APRON ARE HINGED TOGETHER SO AS TO PERMIT PIVOTING OF THE SIDE WALLS AGAINST THE APRON WHEN THE APRON IS PIVOTED INTO THE COLLAPSED CONDITION.

Feb. '16, 1971 A. B. MESZAROS COLLAPSIBLE DUST PAN Filed Jan. 2'7, 1969 United States Patent ()lflce Patented Feb. 16, 1971 3,562,840 COLLAPSIBLE DUST PAN Albert B. Meszaros, 24 Eastern Ave., Ossining, N.Y. 10562 Filed Jan. 27, 1969, Ser. No. 794,317 Int. Cl. A471 13/52 US. Cl. 15257.4 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The dust pan is constructed with a back wall secured to a handle and an apron which is pivotal with respect to the back wall so as to pivot into a locked storage position against the handle. In one embodiment, the side walls of the bucket are creased so as to fold inwardly On themselves upon pivoting of the apron into the collapsed condition. In another embodiment, the side walls of the bucket and the apron are hinged together so as to permit pivoting of the side walls against the apron when the apron is pivoted into the collapsed condition.

This invention relates to a collapsible .dust pan and more particularly, a collapsible dust pan household and industrial use.

Heretofore, dust pans have been constructed in various manners in order to facilitate sweeping operations. In some instances, the dust pan has been made with adjustable handle components and bucket components which permit the dust pans to be utilized without the need for a user to bend over or to permit pivoting of the bucket in order to pick up and retain sweepings. Further, in some cases, the dust pan bucket has been pivotally mounted on a handle so as to pivot into an upright position which would facilitate storage of the dust pan. However, in those instances, for example, where the dust pan has a pivotally mounted bucket on a handle, the dust pans have generally been cumbersome to use and to store. In some of these instances, the bucket has been freely mounted on the handle so as to swing under its own weight into a depending position when the dust pan has been raised above the level of a floor. This free swinging, however, has permitted the bucket to pivot under the slightest force and, has sometimes permitted the sweepings contained within the receptacle to drop out under an accidentally applied pivoting force. In other instances, where the various components of the dust pan have been hinged together, such has interfered with the cleaning operation in which the dust pans have been used since it has not always been possible to maintain the various components in a fixed relation. Also, in other instances, the dust pans have been so constructed such that when placed in a position of storage, the buckets have taken up an extraordinary amount of space.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible dust pan which can be stored in a minimum of space.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible dust pan which can be rapidly placed in a condition for use.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible dust pan which is made with a minimum of parts.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dust pan which can be transported as a unit in a minimum of space.

It is another object of the invention to provide a collapsible dust pan wherein a bucket is securely maintained in a fixed position of use.

Briefly, the invention provides a collapsible dust pan which includes a handle and a bucket which is secured to the lower end of the handle. The handle can be made so as to be adjustable in length in order to be adapted to a suitable height which will avoid any need of the user to bend over. The bucket is secured to the lower end of the handle, for example, by rivets or any other suitable connection, and is substantially of rectangular shape with an open top and front to receive various types of sweepings and debris, such as leaves, sawdust, and the like.

In one embodiment, the bucket is constructed of one piece of material such as sheet metal so as to have a back wall, a pair of side Walls and an apron. In this construction, the apron provides an entrance to the bucket proper so that sweepings can be swept thereinto. Also, the side walls of the bucket are creased in a manner to permit inward folding so as to permit the apron to be pivoted relative to the back wall from a position of use substantially perpendicular to the back wall to a position of storage substantially parallel to the back wall. In this storage position, the side walls are folded along the creases so as to also become substantially sandwiched between the apron and back wall in a collapsed condition.

In order to maintain the apron in the storage position parallel to the back wall, a latching means is provided to lock the apron to the handle. For example, the latching means may constitute a friction lock of resilient material, such as sheet metal or plastic, which is secured to the handle and which is adapted to frictionally engage the edge of the apron in overlying relation. The apron can be released from this latching device simply by exerting a sufficient force on the apron to push it past the friction lock in a direction away from the handle.

In another embodiment, the bucket is constructed of four sections which are hinged together in an articulated manner to provide an open ended bucket as above. In this instance, the back wall is secured to the handle while the apron is hinged to the back wall so as to be pivoted from a position of use substantially perpendicular to the back wall to a position of storage substantially parallel to the back wall. In addition, the side walls are hinged to the apron so as to be pivoted with respect thereto. Also, the back wall and side Walls are provided with cooperating stops or locking means so that the side walls can be locked in upstanding position perpendicular to the back wall. In this regard, the stops or locking device can take the form of a tab which is secured on the back wall and which projects through a suitable slot in the side wall in frictional engagement. Further, the side walls can be corrugated longitudinally of the bucket so as to impart greater strength and rigidity to the bucket when in use.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the dust pan of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary view of the dust pan of FIG. 1 in an intermediate position between a position of use and a position of storage;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary view of the dust pan of FIG. 1 in a collapsed condition;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of a modified bucket for a dust pan according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the dust pan 7 includes a handle 8 and a bucket 9 secured to the lower end of the handle 8.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the handle 8 is of substantially straight contour to be used in an upright manner and is constructed of a number of telescoping members 10 which are releaseably locked together by any suitable means, such as spring biased pins 11 which selectively engage in a series of aligned holes 12 in the members 10. The handle 7 is secured, for example, by a pair of rivets 13 to the bucket 9. While this connection may be permanent, any suitable detachable securing means may also be used, for example, threaded nuts and bolts. Further, the handle can alternatively be of a single length of material, such as Wood or metallic tubing, without being adjustable in length.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bucket 9 is constructed with a flat back wall 14 which is secured by the rivets 13 to the handle 8, a flat apron 15 which extends outwardly of the back wall 14 and a pair of side walls 16. The back wall 14, apron 15, and side walls 16 are integral with each other or otherwise fixed to each other so as to form a one piece bucket and are also positioned to define an open top and open ended bucket proper when in a position of use (as shown). In addition, each side wall 16 is provided with a crease 17 which extends diagonally from the point of intersection of the back wall 14, the apron 1-5 and respective side walls 16 diagonally of the side Walls. Each crease is positioned so that each side wall 16 can be folded on itself so as to permit the apron 15 to be brought from a position substantially perpendicular to the back wall 14 to a position substantially parallel to the back wall 14 (FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 4, the dust pan 7 is also provided with a latching device 18 for securing the apron -15 in an upright position parallel to the back wall 14 and the handle 8. The latching device 18 constitutes a piece of resilient material 19, such as sheet metal, which is secured, for example, by a threaded screw 20, to the handle 8. The resilient strip 19 is sized to extend into the projected path of the apron 15 so that in order to position the apron 15 in the storage position, the apron 15 is pushed past the resilient strip 19 under a slight force which causes the strip 19 to deflect away from the apron 15. Once the apron has been brought into the storage position, the resilient strip 19 returns to a position overlying the apron 15 so as to maintain the apron 15 in the upright manner relative to the handle 8.

In order to use the collapsible dust pan 7, the apron 15 which is initially in a storage position (FIG. 3), is forced away from the handle 8 under a force suitable to deflect the resilient strip 19 in an upward manner out of the path of the apron 15 and is directed into the position of use (FIG. 1). In this position, the dust pan 7 can be utilized with any suitable sweeping device, such as a broom, so that various sweepings or debris can be swept into the bucket proper. In order to maintain the apron 15 in this position of use, the bucket 9 is made of a substantially rigid material, such as sheet metal, so as to be maintained in position against slight forces which would otherwise tend to pivot the apron 15 towards the back wall 14. In this regard, the side walls 16 provide a certain degree of rigidity against such forces. Alternatively, the side walls 16 can be corrugated longitudinally so as to further increase the rigidity or resistance to pivoting of the apron towards the back wall 14 and the folding of the side walls 16 about the creases 17.

In order to collapse the dust pan 7 into the storage position (FIG. 3), the apron '15 is, for example, manually grasped near the free end and pivoted towards the back wall 14. At this time, the side walls 16 begin to fold about the respective creases 17, as shown in FIG. 2, until reaching the folded storage position (FIG. Upon reaching the position of the resilient strip .19, an additional force is needed to push the apron past the strip 19 while deflecting the strip upwardly. The apron 15 is thus brought into a position substantially parallel to the back wall 14 and the handle 8 while the side walls 16 are folded over inwardly of the bucket 9 so as to define a substantially flattened contour or profile. The apron 15 is then held in place by the resilient strip 19 (FIG. 4).

When the dust pan 7 has been collapsed into the storage position, the bucket 9 assumes a substantially rectangular configuration with a flattened profile such that the dust pan 7 can be stored in a minimum of space.

Referring to FIG. 6, the dust pan 7' can alternatively be formed with a bucket 9' which is constructed of a number of separate components. The bucket 9' includes a back wall 14' secured to the handle 8 as by a pair of rivets 13, an apron 15' hingedly secured to the back wall 14, for example, by a hinge 21, and a pair of side walls 16' which are hinged to the apron, for example, by respective hinges 22. In addition, in order to maintain the side walls in an upright position, a locking means 23 is positioned between the back wall 14 and each of the side walls .16. This locking means constitutes a tab 24- integrally mounted on the back wall and extending in a I-shaped manner inwardly of the bucket proper. Also, the locking device includes an aperture 25 in each of the side walls 16' in the upper corner for receiving the tab 24 of the back wall 14'. These apertures 25 are sized so as to frictionally receive the tabs 24 so as to releasably se cure the side walls perpendicularly of the back wall 14'. In addition, each of the side walls 16 are formed with corrugations 27 which run substantially longitudinally of the side walls parallel to the apron 15'.

In order to secure the apron 15' in an upright position parallel to the back Wall 14', a latching device (not shown) as described above is utilized on the handle 8, and need not be further described.

When the dust pan 7 is placed in a position of use, the bucket 9 remains in position due to the releaseable locking of the side walls 16 with respect to the back wall 14'. In order to collapse the dust pan 7, the side walls 16 are pivoted about the hinges 22 out of engagement with the tabs 24 of the back wall 14. The side walls 16' are then laid flat against the upper surface of the apron 15 so that the apron and side walls can be pivoted about the hinge 21 towards the back wall 14 into locking engagement with the latching device (not shown) on the handle 8.

Alternatively, the side walls 16 of the dust pan 7' can be creased or pleated into an accordian pattern in order to facilitate folding when the apron 15 is pivoted towards the handle 8. In addition, such accordian pleated side walls can be secured rather than hinged to the back wall and apron.

Further, the dust pan can be provided with a latching device which is constituted by an eye or eyelet on the free end of the apron and a hook secured to the handle; the hook being releaseably engaged in the eye or eyelet in order to hold the apron in the collapsed condition.

In order to imbue the bucket with a relatively large capacity, for example, to receive large pieces of debris, the apron is sized to be two or three times the length of the back wall (e.g. 15 inches) with the side walls extending with inclined upper surfaces between the back wall and apron. In addition, in order to facilitate folding of the side walls of the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 5 above, the creases are placed so as to permit the side walls to be readily folded between the back wall and apron. Also, with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the apron can be of a different material from the back wall. For example, the apron can be of heavier material so as to more readily assume the position of use under gravity while still being maintained in the storage position by the latching device.

The invention thus provides a dust pan which can be collapsed into a fiat profile for transportation or storage in a minimum of space and which can be quickly and easily opened into a position of use. The bucket is such as to define a substantial bucket receptacle for sweepings. In addition, the bucket is constructed so as to be readily folded and unfolded from a position of use to a position of storage. Further, by being fixedly secured to the handle, the bucket can be easily controlled during a sweeping operation so that the bucket always remains in a position of use ready to receive sweepings.

The invention further provides a dust pan which can be constructed of relatively inexpensive materials in a rapid manner and which can be dimensioned to be useful for any suitable purpose for household use or industrial use.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible dust pan comprising an upstanding handle; a bucket secured to a lower end of said handle, said bucket including a back wall fixed to said handle, an apron secured to said back wall and a pair of side walls secured to said apron, said apron being pivotally mounted with respect to said back wall to move between a storage position substantially parallel to said back wall and a use position substantially perpendicular to said back wall; and a latching means for securing said apron in said storage position.

2. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latching means is secured to said handle.

3. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 2 wherein said latching means includes a resilient strip for releaseably engaging said apron.

4. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said side wall has a crease whereby each side wall is foldable about said crease upon movement of said apron between said storage and said use positions.

5. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 4 wherein each side wall is integral with said apron and said back wall.

6. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said side wall is hingedly connected to said apron to pivot with respect to said apron.

7. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 6 which further comprises a locking means for releaseably locking each said side wall in an upright substantially perpendicular position with respect to said back wall.

8. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking means includes a pair of tabs on said back wall and a slot in each side wall for slidably receiving one of said tabs therein to maintain said side wall in an upright manner.

9. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 1 wherein each side wall has corrugations longitudinally thereof.

10. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bucket is made of one piece and defines an open top and open ended receptacle for receiving sweepings.

11. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said side Wall has at least one crease and is collapsible on itself.

12. A collapsible dust pan as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apron is integral with said back wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/ 1884 Fisher 12/1886 Hemenway 15257.1 8/1909 Workman 15-257.7 11/1948 Coats 15257.1X

2/1957 Johnson 15257.1 8/1959 Caisse 15257.4

BILLY I. WILHITE, Primary Examiner L. G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner 

